Dec. 6, 2004

Box Score

DENVER - Freshman Brooke Meyer scored a career-high 18 points and converted a four-point play with just 23 seconds left to cap a furious second-half rally that fell short in a 64-61 loss against the Washington Huskies tonight at Magness Arena. The Pioneers fall to 0-5 while Washington improves to 4-3.

The Pioneers ended the first half trailing by 11 points, 37-26 after playing from behind starting with the opening basket by Washington's Kayla Burt. Despite turning the ball over 16 times and shooting just 30 percent from the field (7 -13) Denver rallied to come with in 11 at the half. Denver closed to within seven points courtesy of a 3-pointer by freshman Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.) with just over a minute left in the half.

Nine of Denver's 26 first-half points came from the line as the Pioneers shot 64 percent from the line (9-14) and, freshman Jennifer Whetten (Evergreen, Colo.) was a perfect 4-for-4.

For the fourth time of the season, the Pioneers outscored its opponent, notching 35 points in the second half (35-27) on 35.5 percent (11-31) shooting from the field. Senior Tasha Jones (San Antonio, Texas) opened up the second half with a layup to bring the Pioneers with in nine (28-37). Late in the second half, and down by as many as 17 points, the Pioneers rallied for a 19-4 run with Adams, Benham, Jones and Meyer combining for the 19-points. Meyer's four-point play brought the Pioneers within five points (64-59). Jones ended the game for the Pioneers with a last second drive to the basket to but the rally fell three points short, 64-61.

"If we could have started the game with the same mentality we had when we ended, we could have won," said head coach Pam Tanner. "I'm proud of the way Brooke (Meyer) played. She is willing to do what needs to be done and keeps wanting to improve."

Kristen O'Neill and Burt led Washington scorers with 11. O'Neill also grabbed six boards on the night. Meyer led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 6-11 from the field and 5-8 from long range. Jones scored 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Pioneers, and Adams added 11 rebounds and six points. The Pioneers corralled a season high 51 rebounds to win the war on the boards 51-37.

The Pioneers return to action when they travel to Northern Arizona on Saturday, December 11, 2004 with tip-off at 2 p.m. MT .